Finally, the Meghalaya government has notified creation of seven full-fledged Women Police Stations (WPS) in the state, a senior Home department said, today. The WPS can register cases, issue First Information Reports (FIRs) and also take up investigation in cases relating to crimes against women.
“The WPS will be located in all seven district headquarters of the State for dealing with the Crime against Women and Children,” Principal Secretary in-charge Home, PBO Warjri said. The creation of WPS assumed significance in the wake of the rising crime against women in this matrilineal state. Infact, Chief Minister DD Lapang had expressed concerned on the alarming increase of crime against women in the state.
According to the notification, the officer-in-charge of WPS will have the powers to register cases and investigate crimes against women. They are also empowered to arrest the accused in such cases. The women police stations will also investigate cases under Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, indecent representation of women, as per provisions of Women Prohibition Act, and cases of missing children.
The Crimes against Women cell in the CID will monitor the work of the WPS and the Superintendents of Police shall send regular monthly reports, as specified by the CAW Cell in the CID or more frequently whenever such a need arises, Warjri stated.